The Atlanta Falcons were quick to address their quarterback situation after trading away longtime cornerstone Matt Ryan, as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported.
Marcus Mariota’s two-year contract with the #Falcons is effectively a one-year, $6.75 million deal with a $12M option for 2023. He gets a $5M signing bonus and $1.75M guaranteed base salary this year. A $3M roster bonus is due the 5th day of league year next March.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 22, 2022
Pelissero shared, “Marcus Mariota‘s two-year contract with the #Falcons is effectively a one-year, $6.75 million deal with a $12M option for 2023. He gets a $5M signing bonus and $1.75M guaranteed base salary this year. A $3M roster bonus is due the 5th day of league year next March.”
Mariota’s deal is basically an audition for a more lucrative contract down the road.
If he exceeds expectations, the Falcons will exercise the 2023 option while possibly engaging him in contract extension talks.
Furthermore, the cap savings they got from dealing Ryan away will help Atlanta get the players that will help Mariota as he takes over under center.
They need a lot to be competitive against division rivals New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, especially at wide receiver.
Falcons Need Massive Upgrade At Wide Receiver
It would have been nice if versatile running back Cordarrelle Patterson and tight end Kyle Pitts would team up with Calvin Ridley.
However, their top wide receiver won’t play in 2022 due to gambling issues.
Without him, the Falcons receiving corps will have Olamide Zaccheaus, Frank Darby, and Austin Trammell.
Zaccheaus had 406 yards and three touchdowns last season while Darby only had one catch for 14 yards.
Trammell didn’t even take the field during his rookie campaign.
The only receiver left in their roster, Chad Hansen, had 236 yards and a touchdown in 2021.
It wouldn’t help Mariota to have such an inexperienced group.
Therefore, they need to bring in more talent at wide receiver to close the gap.
Aside from bringing in free agents, this position must be their primary concern in the 2022 NFL Draft.
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